Excavated near Filadelfia, Costa Rico, this impressive vase is in the striking Nicoya Polychrome style. Applied to one side of the bulbous tripod body is the head of an animal, probably a jaguar or coatimundi, resting on its forearms. A band of hieroglyphs encircles the vase's collar and other designs run around the legs and in a ribbon down the back. Excellent unbroken condition, with some wear to the buff paint of the body, but with all motifs intact...

This unusual antique Chinese gilded architectural carving portrays a cricket on tree leaf on a seeded green ground. It is finely mounted in a distressed frame of dark red lacquer, and on the back bears the paper label of legendary San Francisco art dealer and framer E B Courvoisier. Circa 1800. Approximately nine inches by 13-1/2 inches.

This lyrical pair of finely detailed Imari porcelain long dishes(naga zara)features a central design of a boy holding a large bowl over his head, with various auspicious symbols surrounding him,the whole scene in a jeweled lambrequin border. Arita, Japan 1680-1725, approximately four inches by 7-1/2 inches by 1-7/8 inches high at rim. Superb condition with little sign of use and no damages or repairs.

Gilt swirling vines encircle this exquisite, scalloped-edged Imari porcelain plate, with three vignettes of a small boy peeping from behind his mother's skirts, her turned head lending an almost surreal elegance to the scene. Japan, circa 1900. Approximately 8-5/8 inches in diameter, no chips, cracks or repairs.

Carved from dark green porphyry, this pendant bead in the form of the Eye of Horus was placed with a mummified body to protect it in its journey in the underworld. Fourteenth Century B.C. Approximately 1/2 inch by 3/4 inch.

Originally these seven little masterpieces were elements of an elaborate floral vase or other table ornament. They are rare and remarkably lifelike and most retain the ivory shanks that bore the wire attaching the flowers to the main body. (One petal of the dogwood flower has been drilled with a tiny hole that must have allowed it to be joined to a cluster of blossoms.) They are extraordinarily well preserved and vary in length from two inches to 1-1/14 inches. Chinese, circa 1880.

Deeply molded with the Eye of Horus (wedjet,) the Feather of Truth floating above, this ancient Egyptian pendant promised protection in the underworld to its wearer. Approximately 1-5/8 inches by 1-7/8 inches, is is in very fine condition, with one chip to the upper right-hand border. Nice grooen color. Late New Kingdom,circa 1200 B.C.

In cloud form, this delightful amulet was probably presented to an infant to be worn at all times for sanctity and good luck. One side is carved with sprays of flowers (orchids?)and foliage, the other with characters for prosperity and happiness. In excellent condition, the jewel is approximately 2-1/2 inches by 3-1/8 inches. Circa 1820.

"Early spring,
The bird and the butterfly
Visit the peony.
Too early: no flower..."
With its finely sculpted scene in high relief, this excellent snuff bottle is in very fine condition and boasts an Imperial green jadeite stopper-spoon. Approximately three inches tall overall by 1-7/8 inches wide. China, late Eighteenth Century to early Nineteenth Century.

So sleek and elegant as to seem Art Deco this excellent rosewood is veneered in carefully matched palmyrawood and ebony veneers. Joins are made with ebony pegs. The full-length hinge and lock plate (no key) are superb quality. Interior is unlined and there is a pin-seal leatherette covering to the bottom.
Condition is first rate, with few signs of age or use. Approximately 15-1/4 inches long by 4-7/8 inches wide by 3-3/4 inches to top of gently domed top.

Carved upright carved shaped like cricket bats and lashed onto crossed elements at either end serve as legs on this rack, which could be placed on the camel to load him up even more. Then, at safari's destination, the rig was placed in the tent, a top placed on top, to become a service table. Very practical! (For everyone but the poor camel...) Madagascar, circa 1900. Ex coll.: James Willis Tribal Art, San Francisco, CA. Top approximmately 37 inches by 67 inches, 35-1/2 high.

Here is a fine pale-celadon vase with an elegant Buddhist lion (shi-shi)painted in underglaze blue, frolicking in clouds. Dating from the latter half of the Nineteenth Century, it is in excellent condition and measures approximately 9-3/4 inches tall and 4-1/2 inches in diameter at the widest point.

Recovered from a burial and meticulously remounted on ancient cotton, this colorful collar from coastal Peru consists of shell and stone appliques in the form of stylized pelicans and other forms. The collar measures about nine inches by 7-1/2 inches and is displayed in an antique ebonized frame. Peru,1000 to 1400 A.D.

I have seen only one related cup like this, similar in size with two legs and described as a mortar, which they might well be, for there is some wear to the bottoms of the bowls, but they would require light handling of the pestle. I term mine a chalice, for the worn carved motif at the top of each leg could be interpreted as a Dove of Peace, but somehow I do not think so. Approximately seven inches tall and 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inches in diameter. New England, Seventeenth to Eighteenth Centuries.

If this powerful figure,a fish with two riders, had a utilitarian purpose, it would have been as a handle for a needle-like point fitted into the mouth area. This is unlikely, however, as the two figures would impede ease of use. Siberia-Alaska Area (?)pre-Christian Era. Approximately 8-1/2 inches in length, 2-3/4 inches high and one inch deep.

A handsome silver-plate magnifying glass has been fashioned with an antique Japanese cloisonne pommel as its chief ornament. The design of colorful five-petaled florets it set off against a background of silver foil-backed (gin-bari) transparent scarlet enamel. Of approximately 8-1/2 inch full length, the pommel is about two inches long. Meiji Period, Japan, Nineteenth Century. Excellent condition.

The central part of this extraordinary watch fob consists of graduated handmade chainwork in gold, silver and that special Japanese dark-brown alloy, shakudo. Approximately 4-1/2 inches in length, the elegant item is is excellent, unrepaired condition. Japan, Nineteenth Century.